In the 15th Century, billiards started as a game of croquet on the lawn. Players used a "mace" to hit balls. The mace was a long wooden stick. However, the head of the mace was inconvenient for use near the rails. To increase friction, players eventually turned to chalk.
Billiards became a popular recreational activity after the Industrial Revolution. Billiards was very popular among both women and men. It was also popular among soldiers during both World Wars. It was enjoyed by all classes of society, even royalty. Billiards became a popular game in the early 20th century and tournaments were regularly held.
Michael Phelan, an Irish immigrant, is known as the father of American pool. He created rules and regulations for pool and wrote the first American book. He also designed new tables and cushions. He eventually merged with J.M. Brunswick & Balke, and created the Brunswick-Balke-Collender company. The company was a dominant player in the billiards world for the next two decades. They controlled every aspect.
The first version of the table had flat vertical walls for the rails. By the 1900s, it was redesigned to be more easily recognized. It also featured a central hole to hold the cueball. It was covered by velvet fabric. This was a softer fabric, which helped to protect the table.
Billiards evolved from a lawn game into a modern game with six pockets. The main purpose of the game was to avoid knocking over the 'king'. Players could also choose to pot opponents' balls, or return them to the original spots.
In the past, they were made from ivory or wood. These balls are now made of phenolic resin and polyester. The ball is also resistant to scratches. They are now also made from acrylic or plastic. Women were initially rejected in the poolroom in 1920.
Billiards gained popularity among lower classes in early 1900s. But, the equipment and tables were too expensive. It was still mostly played by the wealthy in Europe. According to the billiards industry, table sales for 2015 were their highest ever.
Billiards requires skill at different levels. It may take you longer to play than other games. Some argue that billiards was inspired by croquet. However, this is not proven. Billiards has evolved into an exciting game that many people enjoy and is the basis for many others.
The game was popular during the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, especially among soldiers. The cost of equipment became less expensive and the sizes of the tables were standardized. One of the first sports to host a global championship was billiards. It was still very popular with veterans after both World Wars.
In the late 1950s, billiards began to fall out of popularity. In the early 2000s, though, billiards returned to popularity.